Online Reporter
Theseus Shambare
Features Reporter
AS the early morning mist lifts over the rolling green wheat fields of Zvimba, District Agricultural Extension Officer Mrs Fortunate Marara is already deep in the field.
With a new Government-issued vehicle and mobile tablet, she moves swiftly between wards inspecting irrigation systems, advising farmers and capturing real-time crop data that is shaping Zimbabwe’s agricultural fortunes this winter.
“We are one of the country’s top wheat producing provinces,” she told The Herald.
“This year, our farmers are more committed than ever. With this support, we are ready.”
Marara is among 60 district officers recently empowered through a Government initiative aimed at transforming grassroots agricultural service delivery.
Launched by President Mnangagwa and coordinated by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, the initiative is a pillar of Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 agenda and the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy.
The roll out comes at a critical moment.
Zimbabwe has already planted more than 120 000 hectares of wheat for the 2025 winter season, exceeding its national target.
The hectarage is spread across all provinces, with Mashonaland West leading at around 35 000 hectares.
Matabeleland South has also exceeded expectations, planting more than 3 000 hectares, 4 percent above its target.
The country aims to harvest 600 000 tonnes of wheat, which is enough to meet domestic demand and eliminate imports.
Zimbabwe currently consumes between 360 000 and 450 000 tonnes of wheat annually, and has previously spent over US$300 million per year importing the grain from Europe and Asia.
A successful season could save the nation millions in foreign currency while enhancing food security and building economic resilience.
“Every tonne we grow locally is money saved, jobs protected and livelihoods empowered,” said Mr Leonard Munamati, acting chief director of the Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS).
“But we must not become complacent. Farmers need to follow strict agronomic practices — irrigation, weed control, pest management — to meet our targets. This can only be achieved if our ground soldiers are well-equipped.”
Zimbabwe now ranks as Southern Africa’s top wheat producer, ahead of South Africa which typically produces the grain on 100 000 hectares, and is among the top four wheat-producing nations in Africa alongside Egypt, Ethiopia and South Africa.
With Zambia and Malawi planting below 20 000 hectares each, Zimbabwe has the potential to emerge as a regional wheat exporter.
Progress
Nationally, the crop is progressing well.
According to the Zimbabwe National Farmers Union (ZNFU), most wheat is in the vegetative to tillering stage, showing fair to good growth.
“Farmers now require consistent irrigation and nitrogen top-dressing,” said ZNFU Vice President Edward Dune.
Wildlife damage, especially from reedbuck, is under control and pest management operations are underway.
Surveillance for Quelea birds, notorious for ravaging grain crops, is being carried out in Save Conservancy and Muzarabani, supported by 10 000 litres of fenthion.
Fenthion is a chemical pesticide used to control a variety of pests, including insects and birds, in both agricultural and public health settings.
It is mainly used to control quelea birds, mosquitoes and insects on crops like wheat, rice and vegetables.
At Birchenough Bridge, 50 000 quelea birds were recorded, with 44 968 eliminated in just three days, representing a 90 percent success rate.
In Mbire and Rushinga, outbreaks of stinky bugs and coleopterans prompted targeted spraying using 10kg of carbaryl.
Inputs
According to the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), dam levels are averaging 87 percent, up from 71,9 percent at the same time last year.
Over 620 farmers have signed mandatory water abstraction agreements for irrigated production
“ZINWA has enough water to meet wheat, barley, potato and citrus needs,” said ZINWA spokesperson Mrs Marjorie Munyonga.
She noted that dams could support irrigation of more than 120 000 hectares of wheat, 6 500 hectares of barley, and 8 750 hectares of potatoes without strain.
However, she warned that farmers without valid abstraction agreements would not be allocated water.
To safeguard production, wheat-growing clusters are being formed and ring-fenced to secure 150 megawatts of electricity.
The move treats power as an essential agricultural input, ensuring uninterrupted irrigation.
To meet the full wheat seed requirement of 15 000 tonnes for the 120 000-hectare target, 9 950 tonnes of certified seed have been secured.
The balance is being covered by smallholder farmers using retained seed.
A total of 169 780 tonnes of basal and top-dressing fertilisers have also been mobilised for the season.
Capacitation
The capacitation of extension officers, which is key to supporting production on such a scale, is driving weekly field-level technical support for farmers.
Officers now provide farmers with 40 structured agronomic tips covering each stage of crop development and field compliance.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said the new tools and mobility provided to extension officers are enhancing data gathering, accountability and farmer responsiveness.
“Every district must now meet its food production targets.
“These tools ensure that extension services are visible, responsive and aligned to national goals,” he said.
Tangible
Back in Zvimba, Ms Marara says the difference on the ground is tangible.
“I can now reach remote areas, hold farmer workshops and monitor field compliance. This month alone, we have covered 12 wards,” she said.
So far this season, more than 22 000 farmers and 460 irrigation schemes have received wheat production training.
Post-harvest handling sessions are also underway, including one recently held in Nzvimbo, Mashonaland Central, with equal participation from male and female farmers.
Strategic
Wheat plays a strategic role in Zimbabwe’s food economy, feeding into the baking, milling and livestock feed industries.
Wheat by-products such as bran are vital for animal nutrition. At the conclusion of the current production season, all wheat grown under the Presidential Input Scheme will be purchased by the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), while privately contracted farmers will sell on the open market.
Self-financed producers may also sell through the GMB or directly to private buyers.
“We know what this means to our country,” said Mrs Marara, glancing over a well-irrigated plot.
“Every hectare counts. Every farmer matters. This is not just about agriculture, it is about feeding a nation. And yes, we are ready.”
